IG: Charge card oversight lacking at EPA

Mar. 7, 2014 - 03:54PM
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The Environmental Protection Agency did not provide effective oversight for its charge card program, according to a sampling of charge card transactions by the EPA inspector general in a report released March 4.

The report found that of $152,602 worth of transactions the IG reviewed, about $79,000 were prohibited or improper purchases that lacked proper oversight and internal controls. Out of the 80 transactions the IG reviewed, 28 did not have receipts verified by management, 24 did not obtain prior approval before purchase and seven transactions involved prohibited items.

One employee purchased $500 worth of environmental education DVDs and another purchased a membership in an academic organization.

The IG recommended the agency implement regular transaction reviews to make sure officials are complying with agency and government charge card guidelines and provide additional training to card holders and managers on how to reduce improper purchases.